Mayor Chris Louras made the announcement at a news conference with members of the community and business owners.

He said the city will begin resettling the refugees as early as October.

Louras cited Rutland’s increased economic development and improved quality of life as reasons to accept the refugees.

“Just as our grandparents and great-grandparents were welcomed to Rutland in the late 1800s, early 1900s and during the World War II era, we will welcome new families facing peril,” Louras said in a news release.

He said the city was working with the Vermont Refugee Resettlement Program and the U.S. Committee for Refugees and Immigrants on project logistics.

The city said it takes the U.S. State Department 18-24 months to screen refugees entering the country.

“Their arrival will signal a new wave in the ongoing economic growth of the region,” Louras said.

He said his grandfather immigrated to Rutland to escape persecution from the Ottoman Turks in 1906.

“As Rutland welcomed my grandfather when he left the Greek island of Chios, we will welcome a new generation of Rutlanders facing the same kind of oppression and fear,” Louras said.

Other city officials said they supported the mayor’s position.

Vermont Gov. Peter Shumlin was one of only a handful of public officials to welcome refugees.

"I could not be more proud of Vermont and the Rutland community," Shumlin said. "Rutland showed the rest of the country and the world that the values of respect for others, caring for those who need it most and common decency are still alive and well in Vermont."

Senators Patrick Leahy and Bernie Sanders released a joint statement with Congressman Peter Welch on Tuesday afternoon commending Rutland for its decision to accept the refugees.

“We are proud that the state of Vermont and the city of Rutland are welcoming civilian refugees who have fled the relentless violence in Syria, sometimes with just the clothes on their backs," the statement said. "We appreciate the leadership of Mayor Louras and Rutland’s business and community leaders who are not only doing the right thing by helping those in need but also making it clear that it is good for the region to welcome hardworking newcomers into the community. Struggling families, fleeing peril and motivated to start their lives anew, always have and always will enrich America and contribute immeasurably to our state.”

Each new arrival goes through 1,000 days of screening by several government agencies.

"Refugees are subjected to the most rigorous security screenings out of any other visitors to United States," said Amilia Merdzanovic with the Vermont Refugee Resettlement Program.

Once here, the federal government gives each of them $925 to get started. Families will get help learning English, finding jobs and starting school.

President Obama said the United States will accept 10,000 Syrian refugees this year.

In Canada, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said his country has already accepted 25,000 Syrian refugees.